A metabolic panel is a blood test providing a snapshot of your body's chemical balance and how well your organs are functioning. There are two main types: the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) and the Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP).
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
The CMP is a more extensive test, measuring 14 substances in your blood. These substances offer insights into various aspects of your health, including:
- Liver function: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Bilirubin levels are assessed.
- Kidney function: Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine levels indicate kidney health.
- Electrolyte balance: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, and Carbon Dioxide levels are measured to check fluid balance.
- Protein levels: Albumin and Total Protein levels reveal information about protein synthesis and nutrition.
- Blood sugar: Glucose levels indicate blood sugar control.
- Calcium levels: Calcium levels are a measure of calcium balance in the body.
The specific 14 substances measured are: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride, albumin, total protein, glucose, and calcium.
Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
The BMP is a smaller test, focusing on eight key substances:
- Kidney function: BUN and Creatinine
- Electrolyte balance: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, and Carbon Dioxide
- Blood sugar: Glucose
- Calcium: Calcium
While less comprehensive than the CMP, the BMP still provides valuable information about your overall health and organ function.
Both the CMP and BMP are commonly used in routine checkups and to diagnose or monitor various health conditions. The choice between the two depends on the specific clinical needs.
